Redguard acts as a moisture resistant barrier on top of your cement board.

I got an attorney familiar with the condo, it's HOA, and was advised to get a board resolution to cement the fact I got the approval.

Brick or cement. 

The advantage to hardiboard is that fiber cement board is more thermally stable.

In addition, we also noticed a wall is "bulging" with signs of the foundation behind it pushing on the drywall/cement. 

@Nancy Trani would recommend using a cement guy to shore up the foundation.

Hi Jeremy,Have you tried just asking her to leave--maybe covering the cost of (your Grandfathers friend's) move vs. being adversarial.She might just say ok.And ask her to not throw food into the "Cement Pond" because it draws sharks.But really, maybe ducks land in there and she feeds them or something (or she's old and the ducks are imaginary)--but asking her to stop would be intelligent.Good Luck!

If you're looking for something that may cost more up front but have little on-going costs or maintenance requirements maybe a nice cobblestone sitting area would work. or a cheaper option would be cement tiles.

Hi Apurva,53 units -- It would be smart to talk to an Architect who does multi-family (In your general area) about the cost of doing a restyle as well as colors.Especially if you choose a Hardie (Fiber Cement type) product.With Hardie (Type) products, read the upkeep instructions, some require re-applying the joint sealers (factor that into your maintenance budget).Also with Hardie (Type) products there is a service life to the color...some come pre-colored, some your contractors must paint on site, (some require priming of cuts when installed)---talk to the Architect about the maintenance schedule and the CAPEX for this.Hardie makes big sheets of this for multi-family that Architects can use for visual effect and ease of installation.With 53 units--springing for an Architect to help with this would be intelligent.Good Luck!

You had to have a cement slab poured to install it on $500.